Drug-related deaths drop 8.8 percent in 2012

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Data shows that oxycodone was responsible for most of the drug-related deaths in Florida last year.

The Florida Medical Examiners released the report on Tuesday.

The data shows there was an 8.8 percent decrease in the total number of drug-related deaths last year - from 9,135 in 2011 to 8,330 in 2012. The number of deaths caused by oxycodone decreased by 41 percent, but it remains the drug responsible for the most fatalities. The deaths caused by cocaine decreased by 9.1 percent while methadone dropped 21.4 percent.

Heroin had an 89.5 percent increase as the cause of deaths from 2011 and the report named it the most harmful drug.

The Office of Vital Statistics reported more than 178,000 deaths in 2012 and 8,330 were drug related. Prescription drugs are more commonly found in deceased Floridians than illicit drugs.

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